A Study of Retinal Venous Blood Oxygen Saturation in Human Subjects by Photographic Means

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Abstract
A photographic methodfor measuring the per cent O2 saturation of retinal venous blood is described, with use of either a red-infrared or a red-green light filter system. The 2 method variants are nearly equal in accuracy, giving in experienced hands a standard deviation of approximately [plus or minus] 5% saturation, but the red-green system is easier to use. In 65 normal subjects, the retinal venous blood oxygen saturation was estimated to be 59% [plus or minus] 11. When the arterial blood oxygen saturation was reduced to approximately 70% by breathing a low O2 mixture, the arteriovenous oxygen difference decreased to about 75% of the control level, presumably reflecting an increase in blood flow rate. Adaptation to red light did not change the retinal venous blood oxygen content.